Vog 's Techdirt Comments

Latest Comments (98) comment rss

  • On the post: The Secret To Better Education… Is Dumb Robots?

    Vog ( profile ), 10 Sep, 2012 @ 03:52pm

    "As I found back when I taught, having people continually ask you questions to clarify their own understanding forces you to truly understand the subject yourself at a much deeper level than if you're just a 'student.'"
    I've long thought the same way, too, and I'm a firm believer that the most important thing to learn is how to teach yourself. From there, the rest is much simpler.

  • On the post: Far Beyond Filtering: Is The GOP Looking To Shut Down Porn Producers?

    Vog ( profile ), 07 Sep, 2012 @ 09:01am

    "Ultimately, the question isn't about whether or not porn is "bad" for citizens, but rather, how can these laws possibly be enforced without descending quickly into "draconian measures"?"

    Simple - do the same thing that's been done since 9/11. Change the public's perception of what's "draconian".

  • On the post: Murder Case Upended After Police Read Phone Texts Without A Warrant

    Vog ( profile ), 06 Sep, 2012 @ 03:39pm

    Re:

    I agree - this is what people should really be mad at, if anything. A killer might go free not because we enjoy too much sheltering from police, but because the police botched their duty to take the simple steps necessary to remain within the law.

    Ignoring the Fourth Amendment is not the answer.

  • On the post: Big Banks Finally Punishing Employees For Fraud… Like The Call Center Guy Who Used A Fake Dime 50 Years Ago

    Vog ( profile ), 05 Sep, 2012 @ 09:41am

    Re: His Mistake

    Actually... a pretty good analogy. Have the first word.

  • On the post: Massachusetts Senate Race Still Steers Clear Of SuperPAC Interference (Mostly)

    Vog ( profile ), 04 Sep, 2012 @ 04:56pm

    Re:

    Honestly, it doesn't sound any different from the "coordination" that happens normally. "True" fans will do what they perceive to be in their idol's best interests - sit, stay, sic 'em, maybe even heel.

    It's at least plausible to believe the SuperPACs would refrain from showing ads if they're going to harm their own candidates as a result.

  • On the post: Crime Inc. Produces Thoughtful, Nuanced Episode About Piracy (Haha, Just Kidding! Cue Scary Music)

    Vog ( profile ), 30 Aug, 2012 @ 05:52pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poor gatekeepers

    My product is for sale. It's freely available basically around the world. It's still being taken without payment in places where someone can easily purchase it.

    Simply being for sale doesn't necessarily mean it's been distributed in a way that makes your fans want to pay for it!

    The example of albums vs. singles has been discussed: should I buy an album if there's one song I like out of an album of mediocre shit, or pirate it? The question becomes moot if you allow your customers to buy single tracks. The question becomes obsolete if you record good music.

    The bottom line is this: something with your marketing strategy isn't squaring with what people want. Fix it, stop whining, and get your new car or whatever. Great success.

  • On the post: USTR Tells Public Interest Groups They Have 8 Minutes To Talk To TPP Negotiators

    Vog ( profile ), 30 Aug, 2012 @ 01:53pm

    Truly, this level of transparency is unparalleled. Let's hope it stays that way.

  • On the post: Crime Inc. Produces Thoughtful, Nuanced Episode About Piracy (Haha, Just Kidding! Cue Scary Music)

    Vog ( profile ), 30 Aug, 2012 @ 01:37pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Poor gatekeepers

    That's requires actual work. My parents didn't do a great job with grammar.

  • On the post: Crime Inc. Produces Thoughtful, Nuanced Episode About Piracy (Haha, Just Kidding! Cue Scary Music)

    Vog ( profile ), 30 Aug, 2012 @ 01:35pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Poor gatekeepers

    Actually, his parents probably did a much better job. He's not crying about things he's in control of!

    As Mike has said countless times, if people are pirating your work, most often it's because there's a customer need not being met.

    So you have two choices - try harder to meet your customers' needs, or keep whining about "douchebags" and acting like an entitled jerk - except one of these actual work, so I know which one you'll pick!

  • On the post: The TSA's Infamous 'Behavior Detection' In Action: Mandatory 'Chats' About Every Detail Of Your Trip

    Vog ( profile ), 30 Aug, 2012 @ 10:19am

    Re: Re: [Success!]

    I thought it too, but went ahead anyway. Though now, judging from his response to mine, I doubt it.

  • On the post: The TSA's Infamous 'Behavior Detection' In Action: Mandatory 'Chats' About Every Detail Of Your Trip

    Vog ( profile ), 30 Aug, 2012 @ 10:13am

    Re: Re: Re:

    "I guess you don't get it: Terrorists and criminals use the "freedom" in the system to avoid detection. The use it to avoid getting caught, to avoid searches, to avoid having to explain their actions."

    Then, to be absolutely sure we're catching all the "terrorists and criminals", we should probably get rid of all this pesky "freedom", huh? I mean, it sure sounds like expecting a reasonable right to privacy is pretty unpatriotic when you have all this theoretical terrorism to consider. What's stopping us from mandatory TSA strip searches? What's stopping police from pulling over random motorists on highways to ask them where they're going and what they're doing? I mean, as long as they're either stopping everyone or a random selection of everyone, that's okay, right?

    Those who see nothing but knives in the shadows will jump at their own. The sad thing is I completely understand and that makes it all the more sickening.

    It's especially telling that you consider Franklin's quote to be out-of-date and irrelevant to today's society; I guess I'll just shred this Constitution while I'm at it. From the looks of it, you won't mind.

  • On the post: The TSA's Infamous 'Behavior Detection' In Action: Mandatory 'Chats' About Every Detail Of Your Trip

    Vog ( profile ), 30 Aug, 2012 @ 07:43am

    Re:

    I am so sick of linking Ben Franklin's quote and explaining to thick-headed idiots like you why this is the exact wrong attitude to have.

  • On the post: The Aftershock Of Stupidity: Lendink Reopens Only To Receive Trolling DMCA Notices

    Vog ( profile ), 28 Aug, 2012 @ 05:14pm

    Re:

    Argh, looks like I hit the wrong Reply. Meant in response to the AC above.

  • On the post: The Aftershock Of Stupidity: Lendink Reopens Only To Receive Trolling DMCA Notices

    Vog ( profile ), 28 Aug, 2012 @ 05:12pm

    "Some people want to spent all their time writing and creating, not marketing and selling."

    I wish I could spend all my time doing what I want to do. But that's not how the bills get paid.

    Besides, even authors spending "all their time writing and creating" and relying on publishers for sales have to promote their own work from time to time - spreading the word is good for sales. Why are you against a service that cultivates interest in an author's work?

  • On the post: Can You Trademark Your Pot?

    Vog ( profile ), 27 Aug, 2012 @ 04:11pm

    Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

    And yet instead of saying "Hey, Mike, there's a typo, it should be Rainier", you chose the most snobbish way to make your point for no apparent reason.

    Even if the brand didn't exist, or if he named "Shamawalagaba Brand Fuji Apples" (so as to not be "shilling for a brand"), his point still stands; yet you choose to use this meaningless contradiction as evidence of his lapse in journalistic prowess.

    ...Why?

  • On the post: Can You Trademark Your Pot?

    Vog ( profile ), 27 Aug, 2012 @ 04:01pm

    Re: Re: Re:

    I hope when I'm as old as you are, I won't be nearly as needlessly pedantic.

  • On the post: Award-Winning Manga Author Opens Up His Work To Be Used By 'Anyone, Anywhere, For Anything,' Royalty-Free

    Vog ( profile ), 27 Aug, 2012 @ 11:01am

    Re: Re:

    Right, and I said this in light of these facts. I'm supportive of these doujinshi artists, because they're building on and contributing to a work.

    It's nice that the comic creator is making it official, as you say; I'm sure such a statement will encourage artists to create derivative works based on his material, but I have to wonder if such a statement really changes anything for the doujinshi market as a whole.

    Then again, perhaps I'm being too harsh, especially since this is also recent news. I guess good news is good news.

  • On the post: Award-Winning Manga Author Opens Up His Work To Be Used By 'Anyone, Anywhere, For Anything,' Royalty-Free

    Vog ( profile ), 27 Aug, 2012 @ 09:52am

    Re: Re:

    Would it change anything?

  • On the post: Award-Winning Manga Author Opens Up His Work To Be Used By 'Anyone, Anywhere, For Anything,' Royalty-Free

    Vog ( profile ), 27 Aug, 2012 @ 09:50am

    Re: Re:

    I guess you missed the part where doujinshis are actually sold (for money) in Japanese stores...

  • On the post: Funniest/Most Insightful Comments Of The Week At Techdirt

    Vog ( profile ), 27 Aug, 2012 @ 09:47am

    Re:

    Actually guys, this AC is totally 100% completely correct. My remark was meant to spread fear, uncertainty, and doubt (x3 COMBO!!) about people who make things, and in no way was it merely a flippant comment expressing my distaste for both the sense of entitlement on the part of cultural gatekeepers and the legal mire surrounding and threatening innovation these days.

    Let's all give the AC a medal and congratulate him for how correct he is. Fellow Techdirtbags, be upstanding individuals and share some of your Kool-Aid. (This week's flavor, kiwi-strawberry, brought to you by Google, Inc. - "We like to watch.")

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